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Stowing the spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground, near the rear of the vehicle, with the valve
stem side facing up.
2. Slide the wheel partially under
the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. If
equipped, you may have to remove
the wheel center cap prior to
pushing the retainer through the
center of the wheel. To remove the
center cap, press it off with the jack
tool from the inner side of the
wheel. After doing so, pull on the
cable to align the components at the
end of the cable.
3. Assemble the jack handle and
winch extension (as shown in
illustration), then insert the winch
extension through the access hole
behind the 3rd row seat and engage the winch.
4. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The wrench will become harder to turn
and the spare tire winch will ratchet or slip when the tire is raised to
maximum tightness. A clicking sound will be heard from the winch
indicating that the tire is properly stowed.
5. Disassemble the jack tool and winch extension and snap them back
into the tool tray. Reinstall the jack bag properly around the jack and
tool assembly tray, making sure the strap is securely fastened. Close the
access hole with the rubber plug. Reinstall the tray into the vehicle and
secure it with the wing nut (turn clockwise until tight).
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 km)
after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
ft-lb N•m
M14 x 2.0 150 200
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
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WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure. Also, wrecker towing the vehicle
by the front frame-mounted tow hooks is not recommended or advised.
Note:The air suspension control and the ignition must be turned off
before being towed. Refer toAir suspensionin theDrivingchapter.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4 vehicles, it is required that your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
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Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Emergency towing
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat
towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•Vehicle is facing forward so that it is being towed in a forward
direction.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral). Refer toBrake-shift interlock
in theDrivingchapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the
gear shift lever into N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is not to exceed 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
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WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is
available from your authorized dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the touch” or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time. Use Bug and Tar Remover (ZC-42)
which is available from your authorized dealer.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
•If your vehicle is equipped with running boards, do not use
rubber, plastic and vinyl protectant products on the running
board surface, as the area may become slippery.
•If your vehicle is equipped with power deployable running
boards, you may experience noise while deploying the system
due to excessive grit and grime buildup. While the system is
unaffected by this buildup, it is important to wash the area
regularly in order to maintain the system’s optimal operation.
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CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Fold back the wiper arm and
position the wiper blade at right
angles to the wiper arm.
2. To remove, press the retaining
clip (A) to disengage the wiper
blade, then pull the blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
3. Install the new wiper blade on the
arm and press it into place until a click is heard.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and
windshield. Refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
Changing the rear window wiper blade
To replace the rear wiper blade:
1. Pull the wiper arm as far away from the glass as possible. Do not use
excessive force because it can break the wiper arm. Hold it there until
the next step.
2. Grasp the wiper blade and rotate
it away from the wiper arm using
moderate force until it disengages
from the wiper arm.
3. Once the wiper blade is loose,
slide it away from the wiper arm.
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•The service engine soonindicator may come on. For more
information on the service engine soon indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Refilling with a portable fuel container
With the Easy Fuel“no cap” fuel system, use the following directions
when filling from a portable fuel container:
WARNING:Do not insert the nozzle of portable fuel containers
or aftermarket funnels into the Easy Fuelsystem. This could
damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto
the ground instead of filling the tank, which could result in serious
personal injury.
WARNING:Do not try to pry open or push open the Easy Fuel
system with foreign objects. This could damage the fuel system
and its seal and cause injury to you or others.
When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from a portable fuel container, use the
included funnel.
1. Locate the white plastic funnel. It
is attached to the underside of the
spare tire cover or is included with
the tire changing tools.
2. Slowly insert the funnel into the Easy Fuelsystem.
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel from the portable fuel container.
4. When done, clean the funnel or properly dispose of it. Extra funnels
can be purchased from your authorized dealer if you choose to dispose
of the funnel.Do notuse aftermarket funnels; they will not work with
the Easy Fuelsystem and can damage it. The included funnel has been
specially designed to work safely with your vehicle.
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•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (as much as
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
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2. Unlock the locking clip on the
connector (connector shown from
below for clarity), then squeeze and
pull the connector off of the air
outlet tube.
3. Clean the area around the air
tube to air cover connection to
prevent debris from entering the
system and then loosen the bolt on
the air tube clamp so the clamp is
no longer snug to the air tube. It is
not necessary to completely remove
the clamp.
4. Pull the air tube off from the air
cleaner housing.
5. Release the three clamps that
secure the cover to the air filter
housing. Push the air filter cover
toward the center of the vehicle and
up slightly to release it.
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